The midfielder has played alongside Messi for many years for the national side, and for the past two seasons has also played his club football with the 25-year-old after completing a move to Camp Nou from Liverpool in 2010.

''There is no need to compare Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi'', the former Corinthians player told Goal.com, ''Maradona was the greatest striker of his era and Messi is currently the best footballer in the world.

''He [Messi] has won the Ballon d'Or three times. Argentine people are very proud of him because he is the first player to achieve this."

Mascherano also spoke of how lucky he feels to play alongside Messi for both club and country: "Forme it's an honourto playwith LionelMessi.I spend everyday with him.In the future I'll rememberthatI playedwith one of thebest playersof all time."

Barcelona kick off their Liga campaign at home to Real Sociedad on August 19.